title: Appetitive, dietary and health effects of almonds consumed with meals or as snacks: a randomized, controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Snacks contribute toward a significant proportion of human total daily energy intake. This study investigated the effects of almonds, a satiating and nutrient-rich, common snack, on postprandial glycemia, appetite, short-term body weight and fasting blood parameters when consumed with meals or alone as a snack.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a 4-week randomized, parallel-arm study that entailed consuming almonds (43 g/day) with breakfast (BF) or lunch (LN), alone as a morning (MS) or afternoon (AS) snack or no almonds (CL). Participants (N=137) with increased risk for type 2 diabetes completed an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and acute-feeding session at baseline, followed by almond consumption for 4 weeks before repeating the OGTT and acute-feeding trials. Anthropometric, biochemical and appetite responses were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Almonds lowered serum glucose responses postprandially. Effects were most prominent in the snack groups. Almonds, consumed as snacks, also reduced hunger and desire to eat during the acute-feeding session. After 4 weeks, anthropometric measurements and fasting blood biochemistries did not differ from the control group or across intervention groups. Without specific guidance, daily energy intake was reduced to compensate for energy from the provided almonds. Dietary monounsaturated fat and α-tocopherol intakes were significantly increased in all almond groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Almonds provide post-ingestive metabolic and appetitive benefits and did not increase the risk for weight gain. This suggests that almonds may be a healthful snack option.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: S Y
authors.identifier: 000000029607202X
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Mattes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001066:Appetite / Q000187:drug effects*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D004032:Diet; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000187:drug effects; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D062407:Meals; D009754:Nuts; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019518:Postprandial Period; D027861:Prunus / Q000737:chemistry*; D012527:Satiation / Q000187:drug effects; D062410:Snacks; D055815:Young Adult; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D028321:Plant Preparations; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol